Amazing how much of history continues to be recorded as "the fight between fundamentalist Christianity and fundamentalist Islam".

Rational thought is an efficient tool for solving problems. However, the tool is only as good as the input. Most things, human behavior in particular, are very difficult to trace directly to the basic laws that govern the universe. Thus, most inputs are logical leaps at best. Also, most problems have multiple reasonable solutions depending on the objective of the solver. Thus, rational folks routinely disagree. By the way, I believe that most people consider themselves to be the rational ones.

Regarding the situation in Iraq -
A Bokonist might solve the problem very well,
though his premise be a pack of lies, peace and love for all is his only prize.
Better to leave the place to flies, than a logician with naught but money in his eyes.

This is my first post, though I've checked in peiodically for awhile now. Glad to see that a few of you are still around.

• My other post seemed to merely paraphrase yours - carefuluniverse - July 26, 2005 - 03:43 UTC